H.R. 9208 · 119th Congress
HEAR Act of 2026
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D
Watson ColemanSponsor7 cosponsors · 7 D
6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2026 or the HEAR Act of 2026
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jun 8, 2026
Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2026 or the HEAR Act of 2026
This bill prohibits the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler.
The prohibition does not apply to the following conduct:
- importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; and
- importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials.
A violation is punishable by criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. In addition, a firearm or ammunition used in a violation is subject to seizure and forfeiture.
The bill requires the Department of Justice to establish and implement a buy-back program to purchase firearm silencers and firearm mufflers from individuals who seek to comply with the prohibition. Under the bill, states and local governments may use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender silencers and mufflers under the program.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: HEAR Act of 2026
Also known as: Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2026
Latest action (Jun 8, 2026): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement · Origin: House · Introduced: Jun 8, 2026
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.